Windows 8's New Security Features

THE CONTROVERSIAL WINDOWS 8 introduces a few great features, some of which guard against malware and other threats. One feature, however, presents concerns that you must address to keep your PC—and your data—as safe as possible.
To take full advantage of the security functions built into Win­dows 8, your machine needs to run a new boot system called Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. UEFI, which replaces the archaic Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), adds a number of boot features and greatly speeds the startup process.

1.The latest OS introduces certain protections. I Learn how to take full advantage of them.

Included in UEFI is the Secure Boot feature, which helps to prevent unauthorized operating systems and malware from running at startup. This arrangement makes it more difficult for data thieves to use bootable discs or flash drives to access your files. It also helps to keep hard-to-detect rootkits from infect­ing your computer during bootup.
Some computer makers offered UEFI on select systems in the past, but Secure Boot requires a new version, namely revision 2.3.1. If your old system came with Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, it probably either lacks UEFI or has an earlier ver­sion. Instead of trying to upgrade, you might want to buy a new PC or board that’s designed for Windows 8, since such hardware must include UEFI and have Secure Boot enabled by default.
If you're technically inclined, you can check an older PC's UEFI-upgrade compatibility before you buy a new system. Try pressing the usual BIOS/setup key (such as <F2> or <Delete>) at boot; in the resulting screens, you can find the BIOS or UEFI version. In Windows, type msinfo32 into the Start search field or the Run prompt to find the BIOS or UEFI version.

2.Microsoft Account Concerns

In Windows 8, you can use your email address to sign in to a Microsoft account that stores many of your settings, prefer­ences, and saved passwords, plus brows­er history, favorites, and Windows 8 apps, on Microsoft's servers. Whenever you log on to a new Windows 8 device with this account, your data syncs.
Although the syncing can be useful, it also poses a security risk. If miscreants get your Microsoft-account password, they could log in from any Windows 8 PC and access your data. And if you use Microsoft’s SkyDrive, they'll be able to access your online files. To protect your­self, use a strong, unique password when creating your account in Windows 8; if you already have a Microsoft (or Win­dows Live) account, you can log in with that instead. Also, avoid storing any truly sensitive documents in SkyDrive.

Fortunately, your saved passwords from Internet Explorer, networks, and Windows 8 apps aren’t synced to a new system until you confirm it as a "Trusted PC.” Once you sign in to a new Windows 8 system, Microsoft sends you email or a text message requesting that you con­firm it. To make the confirmation process more secure, use a non-Microsoft email address for your Microsoft account, and use a different password for that email account (which you should be doing any­way). Enteryour mobile phone number on your Microsoft account too.

3.Check for an Antivirus Utility

Finally, Windows 8 comes with built-in antivirus software as part of the updated Windows Defender program. If your PC manufacturer installed a third-party antivirus utility, however, Windows Defender may be disabled. Either way, confirm that you have some form of antivirus program installed and running.